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0live_tr33's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Mental illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
dreaming_ace's review against another edition
4.0
I could relate to the main character on several levels. The story felt like one of the most realistic stories I have seen in a romance novel and I think if I ever did try dating I would be as awkward at it as Anna was when she first tried. (It was not the classic I visit a small town and somehow run into a couple dozen princes like most romance stories) Watching documentaries about octopuses together feels much more realistic. In some ways this was a classic romance and in some ways it was more a story of the heaviness of caregiving and the challenges of being ourselves around family.
I also really appreciated that this story covered autistic burnout where everything feels like an impossible task, feelings of being expected to be perfect, and the real costs of masking. It is also nice to see an adult female identified individual being diagnosed with autism. We need more such fiction stories and this was a welcome change of pace from the non-fiction I have been reading about being autistic this month.
I will say there were a few parts I just skimmed since I don't handle relationship drama well as well as a few other bits that were too focused on sex (But I know not everyone happens to be ace :) ) but over all I enjoyed this book.
I also really appreciated that this story covered autistic burnout where everything feels like an impossible task, feelings of being expected to be perfect, and the real costs of masking. It is also nice to see an adult female identified individual being diagnosed with autism. We need more such fiction stories and this was a welcome change of pace from the non-fiction I have been reading about being autistic this month.
I will say there were a few parts I just skimmed since I don't handle relationship drama well as well as a few other bits that were too focused on sex (But I know not everyone happens to be ace :) ) but over all I enjoyed this book.
mrsboyko's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
ghostsversion's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
_thebookishbarista_'s review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"What they see is not who I am. It's the mask they love, the mask that's suffocating me."
This book was okay. Anna Sun is a violinist who accidentally went viral due to a YouTube video, and subsequently finds herself burnt out. And then her longtime boyfriend decides he wants to have an open relationship, so she decides she'll embark on a journey of one-night stands. That's when Quan Diep enters. After a series of failed one night stands, the pair realizes they might be in deeper than either expected.
"The only good thing this broken heart of mine can feel is love for you."
This book was not what I was expecting. Perhaps it's my own fault for not reading through the synopsis completely, but I didn't expect the "tragedy" referenced to take up the majority of the book. I love romance books with emotional side plots, but this was so hard to read through because of how heavy it was, and it overshadowed what I thought was going to be a lighthearted romance, especially after reading the Kiss Quotient by this author.
purplefairygirl22's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
prettypious's review against another edition
3.0
Meh....the female protagonist was insufferable and also I don’t think the Michael character was well written in this book at all...like who was that?!?! That was nothing like the Michael in the kissing quotient
clairebonneau's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
neztoad's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I'm so disappointed how little I enjoyed this. I spent so much of it incredibly frustrated with the protagonist for having absolutely no boundaries. I understand why, but it was painful to read. The end prompted a lot of eye rolling on my end too. I will definitely continue to read Helen Hoang's books, this one just wasn't for me.